Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday vowed to accept next week's election results, even if he loses.
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"Of course I'll accept the results. What can I do, cry?" Netanyahu told Army Radio, ahead of the March 23 vote, which will see Israelis head to the polling stations for the fourth elections in two years.
The remark followed an unfounded accusation by Yisrael Beytenu leader Avigdor Lieberman, who alledged –without offering evidence to back his claim – that Netanyahu's supporters were planning to riot in a way similar to the Jan. 6 insurrection at the US Capitol by supporters of former US President Donald Trump.
Touching on the possibility that he is not re-elected, Netanyahu told Israel Hayom, "Those looking to succeed me tend to have already failed to compete in the true democratic movement, the Likud, and they look for outlets for their frustrations and the media props them up. But there are important forces that have joined and are joining the Likud and I intend to promote new leadership."
Q: Is there someone specific you can identify as a future leader?
"I'm not naming any names at this point, but there are promising young men and women who can lead the country down the road. My objectives are to cultivate new leadership and kickstart the economy to finally get us out of the pandemic. There are four more countries waiting [to finalize] peace agreements, and I need to make sure we don't go back to the dangerous nuclear deal with Iran."
Overall, Netanyahu told Israel Hayom he rather enjoyd the election campaign.
"I love meeting the people on the ground, more than being stuck between four walls. Meeting with the activists and the public is truly reinvigorating," he said.
Q: What's the coolest thing about being prime minister?
"I like driving in a secret convoy to the beach or an orchard and just getting out of the car and walking, and I do that, it's not a big deal. The Jerusalem Hills, the Sataf trail, that's what I enjoy the most."
Q: From the things that make you feel like any other normal person.
"Inside I'm still the same 21-year-old guy who found it exhilarating to hike through the mountains and ravines our forefathers walked. I save time for myself to read, mainly history, philosophy, biographies, quite a bit."
Q: And writing?
"I write from time to time, but I won't be writing my biography any time soon if people come out and vote," he laughs. "The hardest part of being prime minister is that my family pays a very heavy price."
Q: They never complained? Never told you, "What do we need this for, you can make a lot of money anywhere in the world; we'll be a happy family wherever we want."
"Yes, of course, it's come up. We've discussed it. In the end, though, it's a joint decision. If I wanted to earn more money I could, but my family feels it's a part of a mission. We don't try to pander or receive approval from the pundits in the news studios."
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